Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Cardiff?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cardiff or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cardiff or Cartagena? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Cardiff or Cartagena?
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital city of Wales, and a major port on the country's southern coast. Though Cardiff boomed with the coal industry during the Industrial Revolution, the city began its history as a Roman fort on the River Taff-perhaps taking its name from a combination of the Welsh word for fort (caer) and the name of the river (Taff). The fort still stands today along with many other landmarks that attract tourists each year.
Cartagena
The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCardiff £156Cartagena £37
The average daily cost (per person) in Cardiff is £156, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is £37. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Cardiff and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCardiff £93Cartagena £21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCardiff £186Cartagena £42
Compare Hotels in Cardiff and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Cardiff or Cartagena? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Cardiff Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cardiff £21Cartagena £5.89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cardiff
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cardiff:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Cardiff Airport CWL to Cardiff by Luxury Vehicle: $96
- Barry Accommodation to Cardiff Airport (CWL) - Departure Private Transfer: $33
- Bristol Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Cardiff: $13
- Cardiff Airport (CWL): Transfer to Cardiff Accommodation: $140
- Cardiff Private Transfer from Cardiff Airport to City centre: $79
- Cardiff to Cardiff Airport (CWL) - Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Departure Private Transfer from Cardiff to Cardiff Airport CWL by Luxury Vehicle: $96
- Heathrow Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Cardiff: $16
- Newport Accommodation to Cardiff Airport (CWL) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- Private Cardiff Arrival Transfer- Airport to Hotel / Accommodation : $58
- Private Cardiff Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to Airport: $58
- Private Transfer from Holyhead Port to Manchester Airport (MAN): $102
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Private Transfer from Bocagrande to Port of Cartagena: $25
- 15. Transfer to SANTA MARTA from Cartagena Private or vice versa.: $290
- 18.Transfer (Rafael N-Hotel Decameron Baru Airport) or vice versa: $90
- 2. Transfer from the Airport to the Cartagena Hotel (or vice versa): $29
- 20. Transfer Rafael N. Airport-HOTEL LAS ISLAS-CALABLANCA: $142
- 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $160
- Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $10
- Airport Hotel Transfer: $19
- Airport Transfer - Hotel Cartagena: $23
- Airport Transfer Hotel: $35
- Airport Transfers Cartagena: $38
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minivan: $92
Is it cheaper to fly into Cardiff or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Cardiff change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayCardiff £44Cartagena £7.72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Featured in NYTimes > Arepas and Dancing: Danceable Cooking Class in Cartagena: $32
- Cooking class of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
- Taste Cartagena Food tour: $40
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $44
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
- Cooking Class: Street food & Mojito making: $50
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $58
- Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $59
- Street food tour: $61
- 2 hours Sibarita Express Dinner: $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cardiff £25Cartagena £17
Tours and Activities in Cardiff
Here are a few actual costs in Cardiff for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Ghosts of Llandaff Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Cardiff’s Bay and Waterfront: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Bay and Barrage: $5.99
- A Journey through Tudor A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Cardiff's Civic Centre: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- The Ghosts of Llandaff: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Essential Caerphilly: Explore the town’s history on a self-guided audio tour: $6.22
- Uncover Ghostly Chester: In-App Audio Tour of Eerie Tales: $11
- Uncover Spectral Secrets with the Llandaff Ghosts Audio Tour: $11
- Discover Cardiff's Waterfront: In-App Audio Tour: $11
- Cardiff Bay Private Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Llanberis, Conwy and Caernarfon Castle: A Self-Guided Driving Tour of Snowdonia: $15
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Emeralds Tour: $0.03
- Into the Walls of The City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Artists' Quarter Getsemani Self-guided Tour: $6.35
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Great Battle: Fort of San Felipe: $6.99
- Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.50
- Tour the city on a rumba in a typical bus: $9.42
- Old Town & Getsemani Quarter Self-guided Tour: $9.58
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Pirate Tales in Cartagena: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Streets of Downtown : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Getsemaní Neighborhood: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCardiff £13Cartagena £7.24
Sample the Local Flavors in Cardiff
Also in Cardiff, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Gin Tour at Hensol Castle Distillery: $32
- Cardiff Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $44
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $19
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $72
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cardiff and Cartagena, we can see that Cardiff is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cardiff is in Europe and Cartagena is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Cartagena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cartagena and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Cardiff would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cardiff than you might in Cartagena.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cardiff Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cardiff or Cartagena?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cardiff. When comparing the sizes of Cardiff and Cartagena, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Cardiff or Cartagena?
Cardiff has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cartagena experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Cardiff or Cartagena in the Summer?
Both Cartagena and Cardiff are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cardiff this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Cardiff is much colder than Cartagena in the summer. The daily temperature in Cardiff averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cardiff. Cardiff usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cartagena during summer. Cardiff gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Cardiff usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cartagena. Cardiff gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCardiff 17°C (63°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Cardiff or Cartagena in the Autumn?
Both Cartagena and Cardiff during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Cardiff for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
In the autumn, Cardiff is much colder than Cartagena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cardiff in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Cardiff often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Cardiff gets 95 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun.
Cartagena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Cardiff. Cardiff usually gets less rain in October than Cartagena. Cardiff gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCardiff 11°C (52°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Cardiff or Cartagena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cardiff and Cartagena. Many visitors come to Cardiff in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Cardiff can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Cardiff is generally much colder than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Cardiff average around 3°C (38°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. Cardiff usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during winter. Cardiff gets 57 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Cardiff usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Cardiff gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCardiff 3°C (38°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Cardiff or Cartagena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Cardiff as well as Cartagena. Most visitors come to Cardiff for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
Cardiff is much colder than Cartagena in the spring. The daily temperature in Cardiff averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. In the spring, Cardiff often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Cardiff gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun.
Cardiff usually gets more rain in April than Cartagena. Cardiff gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCardiff 9°C (48°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Cardiff
| Cardiff | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 80 mm (3.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 9°C (48°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (58°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (52°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (40°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.